The Edible Academy workshop provides educators, youth garden coordinators and parents with hands-on lessons, techniques and curriculum for using your school garden and Outdoor Classroom as exciting educational tools. Participants will explore lessons in gardening and culinary arts that support TEKS objectives in the core subjects . . . making learning memorable and tasty too!

The Edible Academy builds upon our professional development class, Learning in the Outdoor Classroom and enables us to reach more teachers, parents, students and schools. Workshop participants earn 12 CPEs.

Edible education is a way for kids to become in touch with where their food comes from and actually be able to grow, harvest, eat and cook it. They learn all of that,but more importantly it's about teaching them how to take ownership of their own health.

Numerous studies show that children will try new foods, make healthier food choices and remain more active when involved in a school garden. The surging interest in school gardens has shown a need for professional development in gardening techniques that merge with standard curriculum. By "training the trainer," all schools that desire a campus garden will have personnel equipped to teach in and manage a garden.

While Houston far exceeds the national average on issues related to food insecurity and obesity, an astonishing 20% of Houstonians live in food deserts — communities that lack access to healthy fruits and vegetables (USDA). Overall, 19% of Houstonians and 25% of Houston's children do not know where they will find their next meal (Houston Food Bank) while a staggering 1-in-2 children in low-income Houston communities are obese (Healthy Living Matters).

This is agreat volunteer activityfor parents and their school-age children, teens looking for community service hours & neighbors who want to improve their "hands on" gardening skill! Activities include cultivating, planting & harvesting. Individual volunteers are welcome to show up during hours listed.